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Blue River Below Dillon Reservoir
Conditions
Flows are holding steady at a fairly robust level for this popular tailwater. For many anglers that are all too familiar with winter flow regiments, this will be an overwhelming amount of water. However, it is well within solid high-water levels for catching fish, and it is clean water. The key is going to be to focus on the right water type and bump up your weight, substantially. First look for any sheltering lie out of the main current. Edge water, behind structure, inside bends in the river and above some of the man made weirs all offer trout a place to find a break from the higher flows. Once you have identified those sheltering lies, then make sure to increase the amount of weight in your nymph set-up. We would say start with at least a single AAA or a couple of BB size split shot and adjust from there. There will be a good diversity of patterns working, as high flows tend to bring more options into the system. From the typical searching patterns such as San Juan and Egg patterns to dead drifted leech imitations. As well, the larger flows from the dam represent a stronger pull off the bottom of the reservoir, which is pushing a noticeably greater amount of Mysis Shrimp into the river. As for traffic, that has been day-to-day. Typically high water represents a clean water destination during run-off and attracts quite a crowd, but with these elevated flows that tends to keep some anglers away due to the intimidation factor.
Flies
BTS Shrimp, Tim’s Mysis, Stalcup’s Mysis, Buckskin, Andrew’s 5-0 Midge, Red Neck Midge, Glassy Brassie, Mirage Zebra Midge, Desert Storm, Rainbow Warrior, Black Beauty, Brassie, UV Emerger, Biot Midge, Lil Spanker, Tungsten Psycho May-Black, Rojo Midge, Tube Midge – Black or Red, RS-2 – Black or Dun, WD40 – Black or Chocolate, Zebra Midge, Otter Soft Milking Egg, Bead Eggs, Flossy Worm, Gummy Worm, Sparkle Worm, Jake’s CDC Leech, squirrel leech
Current Water Data
Blue River Below Green Mountain
Conditions
Flows just stepped up Thursday an additional 200 cfs. This will be good news going forward, as it offers additional habitat on the Blue and adds a bit of clean water to the Colorado to counter the increase in snow melt. At this level it will be a stretch for even the tallest and most surefooted waders to cross, so unless you are floating stick to the near bank. Either way, look for action to improve now that fish can spread out and occupy a greater diversity of water types. Action should be most consistent on a mix of nymph patterns for Midges and Baetis paired with small to mid-sized stones and searching patterns. At the same time, keep and eye out for surface activity to emerging Midges and Blue Winged Olives when conditions allow. A combination of the boost in water and the onset of spring should offer a good chance to find a wide range of nymphs being available for trout to feed on including Caddis, Green Drake and Stones, as well. Even better news is the higher water will negate the need for light tippet, 3 to 4x should do the trick in most cases. The unsettled weather that has been the norm this spring is also beneficial on this section, as action tends to improve on overcast days. As the water comes up, so too will the interest in floating below the canyon. 600 is getting to the level for just about any boat to navigate cleanly through private water. Please, pay attention to flows and make an honest assessment of your ability before deciding to float through the ranch. With the snow-pack we have this year, there will be more than enough time this season to do that under ideal conditions.
Flies
Dries: Parachute Extended Body BWO, CDC Baetis Dun, Hanging Midge, Slate Gray No Hackle, Winger Parachute, Parachute Purple. Big bead heads: Deep Dish Green Drake, Hare’s Ear, Tungteaser, Pheasant Tail, Rubberlegs, Psycho Prince, Duracell Jig, Flossy Worm, Sparkle Worm, etc. The Smaller Stuff: Aero Baetis, RS-2, Tung Psycho May, Darth Baetis, Split Case BWO, Barr’s BWO, Lil Spanker, Big Spanker, Juju Baetis, Red Neck Midge, Tube Midge, BH Biot Midge, Mirage Zebra,Otter Egg. Sculpzilla, Sex Dungeon, Cheech Leech, Sparkle Minnow etc
Current Water Data
Colorado River Above Kremmling (Parshall)
Conditions
Just like everywhere else, flows are on the rise, and with the drop in the release from the William’s Fork, it is hard to say how clarity will be for the short term. As the water rises now to the highest levels this season, the river will be picking up additional debris and sediment that had been dry along the banks. These periods of off color water should generally be short in nature, if the flow levels off. Once that happens, look for a steady improvement in clarity. All of that being said, the current level of water is not un-fishable, you just have to adjust your tactics and equipment. Look for softer lies out of the main current, where fish can shelter a bit from the heaviest water and still forage on drifting nymphs. Bump up your weight so that you can get those nymphs down quickly, as your soft water targets may be very short drifts. Increase your tippet size as well, not only will the stained water cloak your tippet, if you do hook up a fish you will need a little extra tensile strength to hang on to them if they get into that faster current. Nymph rigs are going to be the best approach at the moment, with a mix of Midge, Baetis, Caddis and Stonefly imitations fished in tandem with beaded searching nymphs and San Juan Worm patterns.
Flies
Pat’s Rubber Legs, Flashback Hare’s Ear, Miller’s Tactical + One, Flossy Worm, CDC Pheasant Tail, Bead Prince, Psycho Prince, Breadcrust, Hammerhead Nymph, Pheasant Tail #14-18, Redemption BWO, Split Case BWO, Tungsten Micro Mayfly Brown, Tungsten Juju Baetis, Aero Baetis, Root Beer Float, Sparkle Worm, Zirdle, Sculpin patterns.
Current Water Data
Colorado River Pumphouse to Dotsero
Conditions
See above information for the Salmonfly hatch. After a steady rise early in the month, flows have fallen slightly before leveling off at a very nice rate for both wade and float anglers. Along with that has come some noticeable improvement to clarity, at least for the time being. We’re not exactly sure on how to forecast things here for this run-off season, as we have not had any length of time where the water continues on an upward trajectory and we can see if that visibility will remain at manageable levels. However, all is not lost just yet, as there are still going to be plenty of days to find fish here. The biggest factor is going to be when your fishing time corresponds to any dramatic changes that happen before and during the run-off. High water, and even off color water are not deal breakers, you just want it to be stable for a day or two to give you a better shot at success. You’re looking for 12 inches of visibility to give yourself a good shot, even though you can find fish in less clarity. Right now the main emphasis is going to be on the Salmonfly nymphs that are in the process of migrating to the bank for their impending hatch, so be sure to always have an imitation for them in your set-up. As well, there are still good amounts of Baetis emerging on the cooler and cloudy days, while sunny and warm days are starting to drive some fairly robust Caddis hatches. Along with all of that, the Sculpin spawn is wrapping up and action has been solid on dark olive and black streamers for at least the past month and a half. Leave the light tippet in the car and fish the 3 and 4 for nymphs, or 0 to 2x for streamers. We think the Salmonfly hatch is going to be slightly later than normal due to the above average snow-pack (but who can really tell) somewhere closer to the end of the month, first of next month.
Flies
Half Cocked, Black or Orange Foamulator, Big Ass Stimulators, Chubby Chernobyl, etc., Pat’s Rubber Legs, Psycho Prince, Yeager’s Soft Hackle, Bead Head Pheasant Tail, Duracell, Lil Spanker, Millers Tactical Plus 1, Foam Wing RS2, Tungsten Psycho May, Darth Baetis, Eggs, San Juan Worm, Sculpzilla, Silver Bullet, Sex Dungeon, Cheech Leech, Crystal Bugger
Current Water Data
Colorado River Below Glenwood Springs
Conditions
Hard Pass. Although we have seen a momentary drop in flows, that is an illusion that will vanish before you can touch it. Reality is flows are rising fast and dirty. With the snow-pack that we have this year we could see some 10-12,000 cfs flows here before it starts to come back down. We’ll let you know when that happens
Flies
Pat’s Rubber Legs, Tungteaser, CDC BH Pheasant Tail, Bead Prince, Duracell Jig, Tungsten Pheasant Tail, Deep Dish Green Drake, Bead Hares Ear, Yeager’s BH Soft Hackle J, Zebra Midges, San Juan Worm patterns, Lil Spanker, Tung Psycho May, Big Spanker, Rainbow Warrior, Magic Fly, RS-2, Bead Eggs, Otter Egg, Flossy Worm, Sex Dungeon, Heisenberg Streamers, Sculpzilla, Silver Bullet.
Current Water Data
Arkansas River Above Buena Vista
Conditions
Flows that were on the rise have leveled off and dropped to a very wade-able level. As well, they are behind for the season and there are still a few days left up here before it gets too crazy. Nymphing has been solid on a mix of beaded searching patterns, Caddis larva, Baetis nymphs and smaller stones. Visibility is generally 2 to 3 feet, so tippet size shouldn’t need to drop lower than 4x. Look for any sheltered lies that you can find where fish can lay up out of the heavy currents and still feed on passing nymphs. Edge water, inside turns in the river, below islands to name a few. The way conditions are you may have to cover a little bit of water to find those favorable lies so, don’t get too married to a spot, keep moving.
Flies
Pat’s Rubber Legs, Red Collar Leggy PT, Duracell, Copper John, BH Pheasant Tail, BH Hare’s Ear, Lil Spanker, Hot Wire Prince, Psycho Prince, Yeager’s Soft Hackle J, Iron Sally, Hammerhead Jig, Tungsten Psycho May, Tungsten Micro Mayfly, Beaded Biot Midge, Flossy Worm, Silver Bullet, Sparkle Minnow.
Current Water Data
Arkansas River Salida Area
Conditions
Flows that were on the rise have leveled off and dropped to a very wade-able level. As well, they are behind for the season and there are still a few days left up here before it gets too crazy. Nymphing has been solid on a mix of beaded searching patterns, Caddis larva, Baetis nymphs and smaller stones. Visibility is generally 2 to 3 feet, so tippet size shouldn’t need to drop lower than 4x. Look for any sheltered lies that you can find where fish can lay up out of the heavy currents and still feed on passing nymphs. Edge water, inside turns in the river, below islands to name a few. The way conditions are you may have to cover a little bit of water to find those favorable lies so, don’t get too married to a spot, keep moving.
Flies
Pat’s Rubber Legs, Red Collar Leggy PT, Duracell, Copper John, BH Pheasant Tail, BH Hare’s Ear, Lil Spanker, Hot Wire Prince, Psycho Prince, Yeager’s Soft Hackle J, Iron Sally, Hammerhead Jig, Tungsten Psycho May, Tungsten Micro Mayfly, Beaded Biot Midge, Flossy Worm, Silver Bullet, Sparkle Minnow.
Current Water Data
Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs
Conditions
Flows have made a serious drop this week, and it will be short lived phenomenon but, there is enough improvement to get after it until it turns upward again. Nymphing will offer the best results, whether as part of a tandem nymph set up, or underneath a big bushy attractor as part of a dry-dropper. Focus on the edge water where fish can get a break from the heavier flows mid-river. Caddis remain a viable hatch, so be prepared to encounter them, as well nymphs for Baetis, Stoneflies, Drakes, San Juans and beaded searching patterns. Again, this isn’t going to last and may be over by the end of the weekend but, it is another option at a time when river fishing is generally tough.
Flies
Big beaded searching nymphs, BH Pheasant Tail, Duracell Jig, Chartreuse Copper John, Yeager’s Soft Hackle J,San Juan Worm, Pat’s Rubber legs, etc
Current Water Data
Williams Fork River Below Dam
Conditions
After a big drop to nearly unhealthy levels, a nice rebound back up in flows. Still on the low end for allowing for fish to spread out thoroughly in the river but, enough for a day on this river without having to worry about fish health. Midges, Baetis and Caddis larva imitations along with smaller searching patterns such as Pheasant Tails and Tactical nymphs. Once the cool weather ends and run-off returns, this will remain one of the more stable options for river fishing. Be prepared for crowds and as such, adjust your tactics for those crowds: Reduce your tippet size, move with a steady, softer motion that doesn’t alert fist to your presence and study the water for signs of fish before wading in or casting blindly. Little things like that can help with your success on small, heavily pressured streams even more than having the rights flies on your rig.
Flies
Breadcrust, Duracell Jig, Perdigon Nymphs, Poison Tung, 5-0 Midge, Pure Midge Larva, Flashback Pheasant Tail, RS-2, Foam Wing RS-2, Buckskin, Tungsten Psycho Mayfly, Barr’s Emerger, Miller’s Tactical Plus One
Current Water Data
Eagle River
Conditions
Flows have receded for the time being but, that can’t last for long given the amount of snow in the upper valley. Hopefully this will remain an option through the weekend. Even so, the up river stretches above Milk Creek (downstream of Wolcott) will offer the more consistent conditions. Caddis and Baetis both continue to be in play depending on the weather. Cloudy days are best for Baetis with the potential to see a Caddis emergence late in the afternoon on sunny days. Look for any sheltered lies off of the main current that you can find. As the water level rises, many of those spots may not be bigger than the bed of a pickup truck. Dries may pull a few fish along the edge water with Caddis and attractor patterns but, nymphs are going to be the more consistent approach. Stoneflies, Caddis pupa, beaded searching nymphs and the odd San Juan pattern to start and if you land a fish or tow, maybe do a stomach pump to see if there are any other options that you have overlooked. While it’s about to get shut down for run-off, the future for the Eagle this summer is bright, as a strong snow-pack and cool temperatures this spring should provide a healthy amount of water, keeping it in the mix well into August.
Flies
Duracell Jig, Tungsten Psycho May, RS-2, Juju Baetis, Darth Baetis, Aero Baetis, Perdigon Nymph, Miller’s Tactical Plus one, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Psycho Prince, Bead Head Pheasant Tail, Yeager’s Soft Hackle J, Sparkle Worm, Glister Grub, Huevos